by Danelle Dodds
For more than 25 years, Champion Logistics has been a preferred supplier for the annual HIMSS Global Health Conference and Exhibit. And it makes sense. As a woman owned, privately owned, and family-owned business founded in 1980, it has had its finger on the pulse of the industry for more than four decades.
Champions in Navigating the Arteries of Trade Show Logistics
Champion Logistics Group is a full-service logistics supplier with three divisions. Their full-service domestic transportation includes their wholly owned Champion fleet. They boast international freight forwarding, as well as a warehouse and fulfillment center.
Speaking with Drey Lucibello, partner at Champion Logistics, he shared what he thought made their company a driving force in the industry: “Unique in the transportation industry, Champion is dedicated to the coordination of trade shows and live events. Our trade show team members have decades of experience and understand the complex details surrounding trade show transportation. Additionally, Champion drivers are infinitely familiar with marshalling yards, getting check-in numbers and scale tickets, and the appropriate process of delivering to exhibit halls or event locations.”
It was that transportation expertise that helped stitched their business to HIMSS as one of their preferred suppliers.
What Makes Transportation Logistics for HIMSS Different Than Other Tradeshows?
The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society produces the annual HIMSS event. It draws more than 40,000 professionals from all cross sections of the global health ecosystem. It features more than 1,000 exhibitors and, as a rotating show, it lays its foundations in Chicago, Orlando, and Las Vegas. With that type of pattern, and with so many valuable pieces of equipment that drive it, it’s paramount that they have logistical partners they can rely on.
Lucibello had this to say about the uniqueness of the service they provide for the show: “The transport of medical equipment requires accountability for high valued assets that need to be handled with kid gloves. And more often than note, requires a time definite delivery to support an installation crew or short-term demo.”
With stations in six key regions, Champion has positioned itself to meet the demand of that level of coverage and schedule. Having the benefit of a seven day a week operation ensures that the pacemaker of progress doesn’t stop.
What Keeps the Heartbeat of the Relationship Beating?
With so much on the line, rising to the occasion helps build a relationship that has resulted in a quarter of a century of trust. Champion Logistics started their journey with the HIMSS conference in the late 90s. When he was asked what he attributes to the longevity of the partnership, his answer was humble and thoughtful: “Without question, the Champion Logistics team members behind the scenes, our on-time performance, and a leading focus on customer service and accountability.”
What Does the Future Look Like
After a devastating few years of the pandemic and its subsequent recovery, it appears that trade shows and exhibits are back with full force. When speaking to C.J. Berg, Director of Sales and Marketing for Champion, it’s clear that he shares a bright view of the future: “We’ve seen an unprecedented return to live events over the last two years. We continue to focus on this growth through the customer experience.”
To hear them speak, their repeated focus on customer centricity rings through. Lucibello sums up their success: “Champion Logistics gives our clients the peace of mind to focus on the countless other variables that go into a successful event, knowing that our professionals have logistics under control. The long-term strength of Champion’s client base has fueled our success since the very beginning.”
Expect to see the familiar green and white Champion Logistics trucks at HIMSS24 in Orlando, or at a major convention loading dock near you.
